Can Southern Steer charge a fee for Brand Conferences, seminars, meetings, programs, and training?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
May conduct an annual Brand Conference, seminars, meetings, programs, and training. We may charge a Brand Conference Fee for conferences, seminars, programs, and training. (see Section 6.7, of the Franchise Agreement).
We may also provide additional training if, during the term of the Franchise Agreement, We determine that additional training is necessary. We may charge You a fee for such additional training. Finally, We may periodically conduct additional training sessions, Brand Conferences, seminars, and programs, and if We do, We will determine its duration, curriculum, and location. We strongly encourage You to attend these additional training sessions, Brand Conferences, seminars and programs and We reserve the right to require You to do so.
Any new Designated Manager or Operating Principal must attend Our Initial Training Program at Your sole cost and expense prior to being in charge of Your Southern Steer Business.
In the event You are not meeting operational standards or otherwise do not have the program to train assistant store managers and other certain key employees We may require that such assistant store managers and other key employees attend training at our headquarters or other designated location at Your cost and expense, including travel expenses and any then-current training fees.
Source: Item 11 — ITEM. 11 FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 26–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Southern Steer may conduct an annual Brand Conference, seminars, meetings, programs, and training. Southern Steer may charge a Brand Conference Fee for conferences, seminars, programs, and training. Southern Steer may also provide additional training if, during the term of the Franchise Agreement, they determine that additional training is necessary and may charge a fee for such additional training.
Southern Steer also reserves the right to require franchisees to attend these additional training sessions, Brand Conferences, seminars and programs. Any new Designated Manager or Operating Principal must attend the Initial Training Program at the franchisee's sole cost and expense prior to being in charge of the Southern Steer Business.
If a franchisee is not meeting operational standards or otherwise does not have the program to train assistant store managers and other certain key employees, Southern Steer may require that such assistant store managers and other key employees attend training at their headquarters or other designated location at the franchisee's cost and expense, including travel expenses and any then-current training fees. This means that franchisees should budget for potential training costs beyond the initial program, especially if they need to replace a manager or if their staff requires additional training to meet Southern Steer's standards.